Village Idiot

Ah yes, let's post it again for our general amusement http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/10/joe-cole-messi-gerrard-liverpool You've bookmarked that, haven't you? My favorite article from an English newspaper alongside... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1113507/The-best-players-world-Xavi--Ronaldo-crowned-king-football.html

Ah yes, let's post it again for our general amusement http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/10/joe-cole-messi-gerrard-liverpool

Agüero inevitably linked to us, it would be absolutely wank-tastic but I reckon we can't afford him so there's nothing to it.

you mean their clubs? It's a local rag who's claiming that, not the club coming out and saying that we agreed a contract with Cesc/Rossi/Alexis (those are the 3 players in question). Anyway, Marcelino García Toral has asked Sevilla to sign Gio Dos Santos, which should make our resident Spurs fans happy. Anyway, pretty excited to see how Marcelino fares in a biggish team like Sevilla, the way he transformed Racing in a mere few months was astonishing.

Extremely good player, but I don't think he's in the league of the likes of Rivaldo/Messi/Ronaldinho. I still keep his shirt, after resisting the urge to burn it/wipe my arse with it.

Just out of interest VI, what are your thoughts on Ronaldinho? Can't help but think his attitude in his later years at Barca tainted his reputation somewhat. Will always remember that Champs League game against Chelsea mind. Ran the show, and that free kick man. He was unbelievable during his peak, I quite remember it, and he revitalized us so in a sense we owe him a lot. But he faded too soon.

Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Messi in the same forward line, I'll go have a wank imagining it.

I'll give it a go, but it's going to be hard. Valdés (first succesful "sweeper-keeper" after several failures) Alves Piqué Puyol Sergi (we have the most solid defence I remember, Sergi is a bit better than Abidal going forward and had crazy pace) Busquets (beats Guardiola due to being more fit to the role of a modern DM, Guardiola would be more suited to the Xavi Role, but Xavi is just better) Xavi (one of the best playmakers of all time, imho) Laudrup (simply unreal vision for the last pass) Rivaldo Ronaldo Messi (those three give the best mix of trickery and directness, imho) VERY honorable mentions to Iniesta, Guardiola, Romario, who would be subbed in at half time.

Koeman was frighteningly slow, to be frank. Greatest FK taker we've ever had and great range of passing, but he was exposed often. He was one of my boyhood heroes, mind.

We should arrange a friendly against Stoke or something.

Rooney adds to the "Stoke" meme http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/01/2512752/manchester-united-striker-wayne-rooney-barcelonas-lionel

Apparently Mallorca's Chori Castro release clause, because of a clerical error, is a mere 18,000 euros.

Bloody foreigners, nicking your nets.

You just described how quite a few people felt about this club 2 years ago. Absolutely. We were a shambles on and off the park when we went down 2 years ago. I didn't blame anyone for thinking that at the time. Hughton did a superb job in bouncing us back up first time but I'm not sure if West Ham will do the same. The potential is there but it could just as easily go tits up for them. Huge season for them. You got relegated with a much better squad, in my opinion. Won't be easy for Wham.

Dídac Vilà back at Espanyol on loan, a mere six months after signing for Milan. Did he even get a game in Italy?

Quite a sad photo, him knowing his career has finished. Most players in this world would love to say goodbye with a CL final, even if they lost it. Caps a great career.

What I find more shocking is Owen getting ahead of Berbatov in the bench. 20 league goals against 2, and Hernández or Rooney could have used his creativity.

I agree.

http://img01.mundodeportivo.com/2011/05/31/CLF063-LONDRES-REINO-UNIDO-28-_54162986491_54115221152_960_640.jpg

Yes.

Both Xavi and Iniesta idolize him.

Incidentally, Zlatan has a new curse to go with the "always win the league" thing: two years in a row the team that has transferred him has won the CL. Take note, Milan.

Funniest thing is that we were a damn good side ourselves during that time, actually considered by many our best side ever until our current team, just not enough to match them. Said that, we were the first side to beat them in Europe. Was that the Kubala era? Yes. One of Barça's greatest legends, the man that built Camp Nou.

Funniest thing is that we were a damn good side ourselves during that time, actually considered by many our best side ever until our current team, just not enough to match them. Said that, we were the first side to beat them in Europe. As for how to beat us, we are vulnerable to pressure in our defence area (Rooney scored through that), as we always look to play out of that area. Also be smart about our pressing: if 2-3 Barça players are on you, there's some place we have left with a gaping hole: exploit it. (Arsenal managed that very well in the first leg, actually).

Somebody in another forum is telling me Michael Owen played the role of David Villa in their trainings to prepare the game (Nani apparently played Messi). Foolproof plan if true.